If you have blood pressure that’s higher than 120/80, it’s elevated. That doesn’t mean you have to panic, especially if it’s mildly elevated, up to 129/80. No matter what your blood pressure, there are things you can do to keep it normal and ways to deal with hypertension risk factors so you don’t develop chronic hypertension and can bring your blood pressure back to normal naturally.
Some factors can’t be changed.
You can’t change your genetics and that’s one factor in developing hypertension. If you’re parents or other family members had it, you’re more likely to have elevated blood pressure, too. The older you get, the more likely you’ll develop it. Men under 65 are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women under 65, but once they hit that age, there is no difference. Race makes a difference, too.
You can control many factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure.
At Gym Slayer, we address the most prevalent risk factors, such as inactivity, obesity and a poor diet. In fact, it’s one reason many people come to us in the first place. An inactive lifestyle affects your heart and circulatory system. It can lead to obesity or excess weight, which also strains the circulatory system and heart. When you add in an unhealthy diet, which includes high amounts of salt, sugar and trans fats, you have the trifecta of high blood pressure. We can help you eliminate those risk factors.
When you get fitter, you can deal better with other risk factors.
If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, you can increase your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure significantly. While eliminating those two factors isn’t easy, a healthy diet and regular exercise can make it easier. Some factors, like diabetes, can be helped with a healthy diet and regular exercise. High cholesterol levels are also linked to inactivity and a poor diet. Stress, another factor, can be relieved with exercise. It burns off the hormones of stress and gets you back to a healthier state.
- Secondary hypertension—hypertension caused by something else, such as pregnancy, kidney disease and some heart defects—will resolve itself normally when the underlying condition is addressed.
- If you have chronic kidney disease, it’s important to keep a watchful eye over your blood pressure. It’s a vicious circle. Kidney disease can cause high blood pressure and high blood pressure can make kidney disease worse.
- Besides exercise, learning meditation and breathing techniques can help you lower your blood pressure and bring relief from stress.
- While you can’t control your genetics, many of the risk factors for high blood pressure can be controlled and at Gym Slayer, we’ll be glad to help you do that.
For more information, contact us today at Gym Slayer